Container - snap-on closure assembly

ABSTRACT

A container, adapted to receive a snap-on closure, having a rounded annular bead around the container opening which interlocks with the lower portion of a plastic ring. The plastic ring provides in its upper portion an annular bead for receiving the snap-on closure and a flat flange for abutment with the lower margin of the snap-on closure.

United States Patent [191 Thomas [451 Nov. 19, 1974 CONTAINER SNAP-ON CLOSURE ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Ralph H. Thomas, Clark, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Bristol-Meyer Company, New York,

[22] Filed: June 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 370,767

[52] U.S. Cl. 215/224 [51] Int. Cl. B65d 55/02', B65d 85/56, A61j 1/00 [58] Field of Search 215/224, 225

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,393,816 7/1968 Grimm 215/224 X 3,398,847 8/1968 Towns 215/224 X Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-lrving l-loltzman; David .I. Mugford; George A. Mentis 5 ABSTRACT A container, adapted to receive a snap-on closure, having a rounded annular bead around the container opening which interlocks with the lower portion of a plastic ring. The plastic ring provides in its upper portion an annular bead for receiving the snap-on closure and a flat flange for abutment with the lower margin of the snap-on closure.

7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTL IJUV I 91974 SHEET 20F 2 CONTAINER SNAP-ON CLOSURE ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a container adapted to receive a snap-on closure. More specifically, it relates to a container adapted to receive a snap-on closure and having a plastic ring attached to its neck portion, which abuts the snap-on closure when the latter is in position on the container. This serves to prevent removal of the closure by children.

Many medicinal and household commodities, unless utilized in the intended fashion, are very dangerous if consumed by or otherwise exposed to children. Thus, a container-closure assembly must provide a means for preventing removal of the closure by children. It has been proposed to construct plastic containers provided with a neck finish which consists of a relatively flat annular flange extending outwardly from the neck. These are molded so as to be integral with the neck and to provide a flat seat against which the lower margin of the snap-on cap will flushly seat when the snap-on cap is snapped into position. This flushly abutting arrangement makes it difficult to get access to the lower margin of the cap for removal. Furthermore, the proposal also provides that the outer diameter of the neck finish be longer than the outer diameter of the snap-on closure. This also makes it difficult to get access to the lower margin of the cap. Means are provided in this proposal for rotating the cap into a position whereby access may be gotten to said lower cap margin.

Although the above arrangement has been found quite adequate for most purposes, it does not provide an answer to all the problems that are encountered in safety closures of this type. In some instances, for example, even though the container is made of plastic it may not be feasible or desirable to mold the flat flange neck finish discussed above. Moreover, certain commodities, of necessity, must be packaged in containers made of glass, aluminum, or materials other than plastic. In the manufacture of containers made of these materials, it is difficult to form a finish on the container which prevents access to the lower margin of the snapon closure as described above. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to mold a flat flange or abutting surface on the neck of the container and consequently, an annular rounded bead is formed on the neck. The advantage of the flat flange neck finish discussed above is lost.

It has now been found that the above-mentioned disadvantages may be avoided by providing a plastic ring having a flat annular flange extending outwardly of the ring which may be secured to the neck of the container in a position so that the top of said flat annular flange may serve as the abutting seat against which the lower margin of the cap will abut when snapped into position on the container.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a container-ring-snap-on closure assembly which will successfully serve to prevent children from gaining access to dangerous materials in the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide containers having a rounded annular bead with neck finishes provided with ring means for preventing access to the lower margin of a snap-on closure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container-ring-snap-on closure assembly of simple and inexpensive construction which may efficiently be mass produced.

Other and more detailed objects will be apparent from the following descriptions, claims, and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away exploded perspective view of a container-ring-snap-on closure assembly embodied in this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, the open position of the tab on the snap-on closure being shown in full line and the closed position being shown in dotted line;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 3, taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the operation of removal of the snap-on closure;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the container and ring of the assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cut-away exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the container-ring-snap-on closure assembly of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7, illustrating the operation of removal of the snap-on closure;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7, the open position of the tab on the snap-on closure being shown in dotted line and the closed position being shown in full line;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7 taken through line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification of the container-ring-snap-on closure assembly shown in FIG. 9.

A variety of container-closure assemblies have been described in the prior art. To exemplify some of these,

attention is invited to the following patents: Lecinski (U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,472) discloses a container adapted to receive a finish ring or member which provides for engagement of a screw-on closure. Fitzgerald (U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,003) discloses a container and screw-on closure assembly having corresponding locking means consisting of axially extending slots and protrusions, which when engaged prevent relative rotation between the container and screw-on closure. However, neither of these references disclose containers in conjunction with snap-on closures. I

The following patents disclose container-snap-on closure assemblies wherein the container has a flat flange extending outwardly from its neck portion to prevent access to the lower margin of the snap-on closure, as discussed above. Thomas (U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,271) discloses a container having a generally circular flange extending from its neck portion, and a generally circular snap-on closure, so that overlapping of the circular portion of the closure with the non-circular portion of the flange provides a lip for effecting removal of the closure from below. Grimm (U.S. Pat. No. 3,334,763) discloses a container having an outwardly extending flange with a flattened portion, so that upon rotation of a snap-on closure to a position above this flattened portion, removal of the snap-on closure is eflected from below by pressure upon a tab extending from the lower edge of the snap-on closure. Turner (U.S. Pat. No. 3,484,016) discloses a container having an outwardly extending projection on its neck portion below the skirt of the safety closure to prevent removal of the closure except by pressure applied to fulcrum means on the cover of the safety closure.

Although not particularly mentioned, the ODonnell patent (US. Pat. No. 3,170,585) appears to disclose from the drawings, a glass container-snap-on closure assembly. This assembly utilizes an abutment on the neck of the container to receive a snap-on closure. Below the abutment the container is provided with a rounded annular bead having a notch in one portion. Positioning of an extended tab of the snap-on closure with the notch allows for opening from below. This rounded annular bead of the glass container of the O- Donnell device has a distinct disadvantage over the flat flanges of the nonglass containers, shown in the other prior art-devices, for preventing removal of the closure by children. Since it permits relatively ready access to the lower edge of the snap-on closure, a child could get a good purchase on this lower edge with his teeth, nails, or a sharp instrument and readily lift the closure off the container, even when the tab of the snap-on closure is in a sheltered position.

None of these references disclose a container-snapon closure assembly utilizing a separate ring member, provided with a flat flange extending outwardly from the ring member, which serves as an abutting surface against which the lower margin of the snap-on closure may seat.

Referring now to the drawings of the present case in which like numbers represent the same structure in the various views, the embodiments of the container-snapon closure assembly of this invention are shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 7. The assembly comprises a container 1, plastic ring 2, and snap-on closure 3.

In the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1, container 1 comprises a body portion 4 and neck portion 5, terminating in a container opening 6. Formed around neck portion 5 is an outwardly extending rounded annular bead 7. Rounded annular bead 7 is disposed around neck portion 5 at container opening 6, as shown in FIG. 1. As an alternative, annular bead 7 may be downwardly spaced from container opening 6, as shown in FIG. 6, without departing from the spirit of this invention. As best shown in FIG. 4, annular bead 7 is provided with one or more notches 9, as described in more detail below.

Plastic ring 2 has a lower portion 10, as shown in FIG. 1, which is provided with an outwardly projecting annular groove 11. Groove 11 is provided with one or more longitudinally extending protrusions 12 on its inner surface 13, as described in more detail below.

Plastic ring 2 is fitted on container 1 so that the outwardly extending rounded annular head 7 of container 1 mates with the outwardly projecting annular groove 11 of plastic ring 2, preferably in snap-on engagement. Notch or notches 9 mate with the longitudinally extending protrusion or protrusions 12 in interlocking engagement to prevent the relative rotation of container 1 with respect to plastic ring 2.

In the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1, flat annular flange l4 rises from lower portion of plastic ring 2. Annular flange 14 which in cross section tapers upwardly and outwardly as shown in FIG. 3, has its thickest portion at a point adjacent neck portion 5 of container 1. Flange 14 has a flat upper surface 15, whose outer diameter in general is greater than the outer diameter of snap-on closure 3 when the latter is secured on container 1. Thus, flat upper surface 15 provides an abutting seat for and prevents access to the lower margin of snap-on closure 3. This outer diameter of flat upper surface 15 of flange 14 is not continuous, but rather, has a notch 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The diameter of flange 1.4 in the area of notch 16 is less than the diameter of the remaining perimeter of flange 14 and thus provides means for removal of snap-on closure 3 from below, as further described.

Plastic ring 2 has an upper portion 17, which is provided with an outwardly extending annular bead 18 which engages snap-on closure 3, when the latter is snapped into position.

Snap-on closure 3, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, comprises a roof 19 and a cylindrical skirt 20 depending from said roof. An inwardly extending annular bead 21 is provided on the lower internal surface of skirt 20, which engages the outwardly extending annular bead 18 of plastic ring 2 to provide a seal.

A tab 22, means for removal of snap-on closure 3 from plastic ring 2, is provided adjacent to the lower margin of skirt 20 and extending outwardly therefrom. Tab 22 is dimensioned not to extend outwardly further than the general perimeter of flange 14 of plastic ring 2, as shown in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2. However, upon rotation of snap-on closure 3 to a position overlapping notch 16 of plastic ring 2, as shown in the open position illustrated in FIG. 2, tab 22 may be engaged from below to effect removal of snap-on closure 3.

In the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 7, the means for interlocking engagement of container 1 with the lower portion 10 of plastic ring 2 are the same as described above. Further, an annular flange 23 is provided on ring 2, which in cross section tapers upwardly and outwardly as shown in FIG. 7, rising from lower portion 10 of plastic ring 2 and having its thickest portion at a point adjacent neck portion 5 of container 1 when ring 2 is seated on said container. Flange 23 has a flat upper surface24 which provides an abutting seat for the lower margin of snap-on closure 3. Flat upper surface 24 has an outer diameter which is continuous and essentially equal to the outer diameter of snap-on closure 3, as shown in FIG. 9. As an alternative, variation of these dimensions is allowable, as shown in FIG. 11, as long as access to the lower margin of skirt 20 of snap-on closure 3 is prevented.

The snap-on closure 3 of this embodiment comprises a cylindrical skirt 20 and a roof 19. Roof 19 extends across the top portion of skirt 20 but is spaced slightly below the upper most margin of skirt 20 so as to form an upper cylindrical portion 29. A tab 25 is hingedly secured to the upper member of top cylindrical portion 29 by a hinge member 28. Diagonally opposite said hinge member 28 on the inner surface of upper cylindrical portion 29, there is provided a lock means 26 adapted to engage the free margin of tab 25. Extending chordally across the roof l9 and extending upwardly therefrom, there is provided a wedge shaped ridge member 27 which is positioned generally parallel to hinge member 28.

In use, the closure of this embodiment of the invention is in a condition in which tab 25 is in a closed position and the free margin of tab 25 is engaged in lock member 26. To disengage this tab and to bring it into a position so that it may be grabbed as shown in FIG.

8, tab 25 is pressed downwardly at point 30. This will move the tab downwardly until the front portion thereof contacts ridge member 27. Since tab 25 is flexible, the free margin of tab 25 will be urged upwardly and thus cause the free margin to be released from lock means 26.

An important feature of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, is the relationship that exists between the lower margin of skirt of snap-on closure 3 and the flange 14 of plastic ring 2. The flat surface of this flange has a flush abutment against the lower margin of the skirt when the snap-on closure is in position on the plastic ring so that the respective abutting surfaces are at right angles to each other. This greatly reduces the possibility of obtaining a purchase on the lower margin of the skirt of the snapon closure with the thumb or even teeth by getting them in between the lower margin of the skirt and flat upper surface of the flange. A flush and abutting relationship between the lower margin of the snap-on cap of the device of ODonnell (U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,585, discussed above) cannot be accomplished because of the rounded annular bead utilized. This rounded annular bead of the ODonnell device will only meet tangentially with the surface of the lower margin of the O- Donnell snap-on cap. It is, therefore, a relatively easy matter to obtain a grip on the lower margin of the O- Donnell snap-on cap at substantially any point around the circumference of the lower margin of the cap and remove it. Thus, the devices of this invention overcome the disadvantage associated with utilizing a container having a rounded annular bead by providing a plastic ring having a flange with a flat upper surface in conjunction with the rounded annular bead that prevents access to the skirt of the snap-on closure and subsequent removal of the closure except by the intended operation.

Another important feature of the present invention as illustrated in all of the embodiments described, is the provision of means for making difficult the removal of the snap-on closure by a child. In the embodiments discussed, the outer diameter of the snap-on closure has been equal to, less than, but not greater than the outer diameter of the plastic ring so that the snap-on closure would not overlap the plastic ring and provide a means for a child to gain access to and remove the snap-on closure. Also, the means for removing the snap-on closure have been made difficult for a child to utilize. In the first embodiment, where the snap-on closure has an outwardly extending tab and the flange of the plastic ring has a notch, only by rotation of the tab of the snapon closure to a point above this notch, can the snap-on closure be removed. In the second embodiment, where the snap-on closure has a reclosable tab on its roof portion, only by pressing downwardly on a specific point on this reclosable tab so that it disengages and becomes available for grasping, can the snap-on closure be removed. Both embodiments necessitate following instructions on the device, so that removal of the snap-on closure from the container is extremely difficult for a child.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a container adapted to receive a snap-on closure comprises a neck portion, terminating in a container opening, and a rounded annular bead. A plastic ring is provided, which is adapted to snap into engagement with the rounded annular bead of the container and has means for receiving the snap-on closure. The plastic ring is provided with a flat flange extending outwardly from the neck portion of the container which serves as an abutting surface for the lower margin of the snap-on closure.

What is claimed is:

l. A container adapted to receive a snap-on closure comprising a neck portion, terminating in a container opening, and a rounded annular head; a plastic ring adapted to snap into engagement with said rounded annular bead, said plastic ring being provided with means for receiving said snap-on closure and a flat flange extending outwardly from said neck portion whereby a substantially flat abutting surface is provided which may serve as an abutting surface for the lower margin of said snap-on closure.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means provided on said plastic ring is an annular bead disposed around said neck portion and spaced upwardly from said flat flange and adapted to engage said closure in a snap-on relationship.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said rounded annular bead of said container and said plastic ring are in interlocking engagement whereby the relative rotation of said plastic ring and said container is prevented.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein said interlocking engagement comprises at least one protrusion on an outwardly projecting annular groove of said plastic ring and at least one notch in said rounded annular bead of said container, said protrusion and said notch being in mating engagement.

5. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said flat flange is provided with a notch and said snap-on closure is provided with a tab extending outwardly from said snap-on closure in the region of said lower margin whereby the relative dimensions of said tab and said notch are such that said snap-on closure is engageable from below for removal substantially only when it is positioned so that said tab is above said notch.

6. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said lower margin of said snap-on closure abuts said flat flange whereby removal of said snap-on closure by engagement of said lower margin from below is prevented and means for grasping and lifting said snap-on closure off said plastic ring are provided.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said means for grasping and lifting said snap-on closure off said plastic ring is reclosable tab located on the roof portion of said snap-on closure.

I'INI'IED' STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,848,762 Dated November 19 1974 Ralph H. Thomas Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The name of the Assignee should read H- Bristol- Myers Company Signed and sealed this 4th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY 'M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 lLS4 covmancm rnm'rmc OFFICE: 93 0 FORM PO-1OSO (IO-69) 

1. A container adapted to receive a snap-on closure comprising a neck portion, terminating in a container opening, and a rounded annular bead; a plastic ring adapted to snap into engagement with said rounded annular bead, said plastic ring being provided with means for receiving said snap-on closure and a flat flange extending outwardly from said neck portion whereby a substantially flat abutting surface is provided which may serve as an abutting surface for the lower margin of said snap-on closure.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said means provided on said plastic ring is an annular bead disposed around said neck portion and spaced upwardly from said flat flange and adapted to engage said closure in a snap-on relationship.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said rounded annular bead of said container and said plastic ring are in interlocking engagement whereby the relative rotation of said plastic ring and said container is prevented.
 4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein said interlocking engagement comprises at least one protrusion on an outwardly projecting annular groove of said plastic ring and at least one notch in said rounded annular bead of said container, said protrusion and said notch being in mating engagement.
 5. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said flat flange is provided with a notch and said snap-on closure is provided with a tab extending outwardly from said snap-on closure in the region of said lower margin whereby the relative dimensions of said tab and said notch are such that said snap-on closure is engageable from below for removal substantially only when it is positioned so that said tab is above said notch.
 6. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said lower margin of saId snap-on closure abuts said flat flange whereby removal of said snap-on closure by engagement of said lower margin from below is prevented and means for grasping and lifting said snap-on closure off said plastic ring are provided.
 7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said means for grasping and lifting said snap-on closure off said plastic ring is reclosable tab located on the roof portion of said snap-on closure. 